Nairo Quintana and the Movistar Team took a step forward in their aspirations to win the 2017 Giro d’Italia as they claimed a convincing win on Stage 9. A 152km challenge from Montenero di Bisaccia to the Summit of Blockhaus (Cat-1) saw the Movistar squad taking over the race with an outstanding display.
The win was an effort by the entire team. Sutherland, Bennati and Rojas protected Quintana in the flatter sections. Amador, Izagirre and Herrada drove the big selection at the foot of the climb while a combined effort from De La Parte and Anacona shattered the GC group during the ascent. All allowed Quintana to make his attacks at 7km from the finish leave the opposition behind.
Quintana first left behind Vincenzo Nibali (TBM) and Thibaut Pinot (FDJ), and ultimately reached the finish line with 24″ over the Frenchman and Tom Dumoulin (SUN), who climbed on his own pace to take 3rd. A crash involving a race moto took down three big GC contenders down in Adam Yates (ORS; +4’39”), Geraint Thomas (SKY, +5’08”) and Mikel Landa (SKY).
The stage win marks Movistar Team’s 25th victory in the 2017 season. It’s the sixth win of the season of Quintana since starting his racing season in February, and his 37th win as a pro.
The Colombian will have a hard task to tackle on Tuesday at the rolling, 39km ITT stage ten from Montefalco to Foligno; however, a well-deserved rest day is waiting for him first on Monday.
REACTION:
Nairo Quintana: “Such a great day! I wanted to show that both my legs and those of my team-mates were doing great. I feel strong and I’m pleased to see the whole Movistar Team riding this way. All of the boys have been simply outstanding, they worked their hearts out from start to finish, from the very first one to the last, at the exact moment they had to, and that also brings you extra motivation to give your best.
“I knew it was important to open some distance with the biggest rivals before the TT. After my first attack I saw Pinot and Nibali being able to follow, but I continued to make attacks, one after another, until I was able to finally open a gap and carry on. I just gave everything that I had – I’m so happy I ended up winning this stage and also wearing the Maglia Rosa before the rest day. We’re really satisfied with the selection we created between the main contenders and taking these seconds on them.
“There’s still a long way to go in this Giro. We’ll see after Tuesday’s TT if these 30 seconds over Dumoulin are many or too few, but for the time being, I’m feeling good, with strong health, good legs, and that’s what really matters so early in this race. This victory goes to all Latin American and Colombian fans; to Michele Scarponi, whom I regret so much about his passing; and also my wife and all mothers in their day.”
2017 Giro d’Italia – Stage 9 Brief Results:
- Nairo QUINTANA (Movistar Team) 3:44:51
- Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) at 24″
- Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) s.t.
- Bauke Mollema (Trek – Segafredo) at 41″
- Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida) at 1′:00″
- Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R La Mondiale) at 1′:18″
- Tanel Kangery (Astana Pro Team) at 2′:02″
- Ilnur Zakarin (Team Katusha – Alpecin) at 2:’14”
- Sebastien Reichenbach (FDJ) at 2′:28″
- Davide Formolo (Cannondale-Drapac Pro Cycling Team) at 2′:35″
General Classification After Stage 9:
- Nairo Quintana (Colombia / Movistar) 42:06:09″
- Thibaut Pinot (France / FDJ) +28″
- Tom Dumoulin (Netherlands / Sunweb) +30″
- Bauke Mollema (Netherlands / Trek) +51″
- Vincenzo Nibali (Italy / Bahrain) +1:10″
- Domenico Pozzovivo (Italy / AG2R) +1:28″
- Ilnur Zakarin (Russia / Katusha) +2:28″
- Davide Formolo (Italy / Cannondale) +2:45″
- Andrey Amador (Costa Rica / Movistar) +2:53″
- Steven Kruijswijk (Netherlands / LottoNL) +3:06″
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